Key Points

As of 31st March 2024:

• there were 325,477 local authority housing stock units, a similar number to March 2023 (+1%, +2,331). There were 11,751 local authority housing stock units vacant, a similar number compared to the previous year (+0.9%, +107 units).
• In total, 3.6% of the total local authority stock was vacant, however this includes stock that will be demolished or cannot be currently let as it needs modernisation.
• 1.9% (5,640) of normal use (permanent lettings) stock was vacant. 10% (783) of stock used for temporary accommodation for homeless households was vacant. 3% of stock in low demand areas was vacant. The majority of stock earmarked for demolition (99%) and modernisation (95%) was vacant.
• Since 2017 there have been increases in the total vacancy rate (2.0% to 3.6%) as well as the normal use of stock vacancy rate (0.8% to 1.9%)
• The total vacancy rate in 2024 was highest in Renfrewshire (10.2%) and lowest in Moray (0.9%). Most vacant stock in Renfrewshire is earmarked for demolition (53%).
• The highest vacancy rate for normal use stock was in Aberdeen City (9.0%), the rate has increased since 2020 (2.0%) and stock is vacant for longer. The lowest vacancy rate for normal use stock was in Moray (0.6%).
• Numerically, North Lanarkshire saw the largest annual decrease in vacant stock (-471 units; -34%) and Edinburgh saw the largest annual increase in vacant stock (361 units; 40%). In Edinburgh, the stock that is vacant is not useable for normal lettings (demolition or part of a modernisation programme).